Closure Order
A legal order served by an EHO forcing a business to cease trading immediately due to a "grave and immediate danger" to public health.
This is the nuclear option. Reasons include pest infestation, sewage leaks, or total HACCP failure. Closure Orders are listed publicly on the FSAI website for 3 months, causing severe and often permanent reputational damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Continuing to trade in breach of a Closure Order is a criminal offence. You can face prosecution in the District Court, significant fines, and potential imprisonment. Furthermore, the EHO can request the assistance of the Gardaí to physically enforce the closure if you refuse to comply.
Yes. Under the FSAI Act 1998, if an EHO is of the opinion that there is a "grave and immediate danger" to public health (e.g., active sewage leak, heavy rodent infestation, or no running water), they can serve a Closure Order taking effect immediately. They do not need to give you a warning letter or a timeframe to fix it first when the risk is immediate.
A Closure Order is a matter of public record and will remain listed on the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) website for a period of three months after the order has been lifted. This "Name and Shame" list is frequently picked up by national newspapers and local media, causing reputational damage that often outlasts the actual closure period.